We
the undersigned request that all information relating to M.E. (Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis) and CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), including
correspondence with the medical profession (Ref: BN 141/1), held in the
National Archives, Kew, UK, as a closed document and not available for
public access, after 78 years, until 2072, is made freely available.

It
is believed that such revelation may yield clues that might lead to
effective treatments and hopefully a cure for this dreadfully
debilitating illness, which affects millions of people worldwide.

This
petition is in addition to a freedom of information request, made by
its creator and an open letter to a national British newspaper co-signed
by a majority of representatives of people with M.E.

It has
not been possible to petition number 10.co.uk because the service has
been suspended since 6 April 2010 and, pending review, is expected to be
re-launched later in the year. Furthermore, since its jurisdiction may
be limited to the UK, we encourage petitioners from all over the world,
since M.E. knows no geographical boundaries, in order to realise the
magnitude of concern that there is worldwide. less

There is one and people have made repeated requests, invoking the Act, for the files to be opened, with no effect. The reasons given for the refusals don't appear plausible, e.g. claims that patient confidentiality would be breached - this should be easy to overcome by redacting the files (i.e. blanking out the giveaway bits).

And secondly, the DWP files (Piece reference BN 141/1) which have only recently come to light. and refer to "Medical Policy" on ME/CFS, covering the period from 1984 to 1993. They are closed for 78 years (ie. until January 2072):

It is also worth recalling that members of the CMO's Working Group were threatened with having to sign the Official Secrets Act and in June 2000 were issued with a warning that even if not covered by the Act, the status of other documents referring to ME/CFS was "RESTRICTED", a classification that relates to "sensitive issues" and which, if disclosed, might carry a severe penalty. The notification further stated: "Papers not so marked are nevertheless considered confidential....The presumption is that such papers would in due course be made available to the public...but that the timing and means of release should be controlled by the authors...or by the secretariat, as appropriate".

That the Official Secrets Act might have been invoked was confirmed by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, in a letter dated 23rd October 2000 and it is notable that the reasons he gave for protecting information relating to the work of the CMO's Working Group on ME/CFS were that it may be: "confidential information obtained by a Crown servant from a foreign state or international organisation" and "information in the possession of a Crown servant the disclosure of which would impede a criminal process".

The question arises, are there any other illnesses where information is classified for such a long period - the customary period being 30 years, not 78 years? For example, it is known that papers relating to multiple sclerosis are locked away for only 30 years.

What is so secret about ME/CFS that both the MRC and the DWP feel the need to lock away documents relating to this illness?

My concern is that if these documents contain information vital to protecting government interests, as seems likely by such extreme actions to conceal the contents......what's to stop them from altering the documents upon realizing they will be forced to open them? Of course we need to keep banging on the front door even if they are inside shredding and rewriting files, but I just don't see them giving up the truth all too easily.

They had their chance for a truthful account of the contents and it's not happening....so, I'm glad to be part of this petition. Good on ya Dr John! Thanks dasiymay.

I signed, with a comment, but it's not appearing on the petition. I've read all the signatures/comments previous to the time I signed and keep refreshing the page, but no dice. THe page states that I've signed it, but neither my comment nor my name/location have appeared on the petition. Are you sure it's open to those in the US?

Unfortunately though, I doubt an online petition will change their course of action.

I have an ideia...probably this sounds a bit off-the-wall, but maybe we should try to get those wikileaks guys interested in the case.
They managed to hack the pentagon, so the National Archives should be a walk in the park...